Shoe



B. A. MASON SHOE 4 Filed March 23, 1925 I gwu antoz ,Bezwamfl/Vasam flaw/5i Patented Dec. 8, 1925.

UNITED STATES BERNARD .ALMASO OF CHIZPPEWA FALLS, WISCONSIN.

' SHOE.

Applicationffiled March 23, 1925. Serial No. 17,646.

tain new and useful Improvements in a Shoe, of which the following is 'a specification.

This invention relates'to shoes, boots, and

the like, it being adapted particularly for foot wear of this class which is used by persons when hunting, logging, all sorts of rough outdoor work, and" for sport wear when playing golf, hiking, etc.

The invention is restricted more particularly to an improved attachment for the vamp of foot wear of the class specified.

More precisely, the invention has specific reference to a novel means for reinforcing and beautifying the vamp of plain-toed shoes and has the additional feature of rendering the shoe more nearly water proof than has heretofore been accomplished.

An important aim is to provide an improvement of this kind which will serve to avoid the unsightly and unpopular appearance of the commonly marketed plain toe boot or shoe, at the same time positively retaining the good feature of such a toe in that it permits full enjoyment of the cus tomary comfort due to the softness of the tip and extreme flexibility and tendency to stretch and conform to the shape of the foot of the wearer.

A shoe constructed in accordance with the present invention also possesses other features and advantages and these will become apparent from the following description and drawing.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the forward portion of a shoe or boot of the blucher type embodying a plain toe and showing the improved attachment incorporated.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the attachment itself removed.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the reference character 1 designates a sole which may be of any suitable construction. The upper is designated by the character 2 and the gusset by the character 3. This gusset i .si n p 1 9 the t p f the upp r in PATENT .oFFrc f forming the tongue. The plain'toe of the.

shoe is generally indicated bythe reference character &-and this includes the tip 5 and the vamp 6. As before stated, this particular kind of a toe is exceedingly desirable for use upon shoes and" boots of the class hereinbefore specified. It has been observed however that due to the extreme flexibility and softness of the single ply of leather formingthe vamp and toe, the vamp frequently falls down'and displays the contour of the forward portion of the foot and toes. Although this is not objectionablefrom* a standpoint of comfort, it is indeed unsightly for the discreet wearer. Hence, as before intimated, I contemplate embodying in the already marketed typeofblucher shoe and boot an attachment comprising a substantially semi-ovate piece of le'ather7 which is superimposed upon the toe and vamp and is stitchedaround its marginal ed e as indi= cated at 8. The rounded end 0 the piece conforms in shape and size to the corresponding portion of the toe. The opposite end of the piece however is provided with a central protruding portion or tongue 9. Comparing the last named'end with the lower extremity of the gussetit will be seen that the shapes are a reverse of each other.

It will be noted from Figure 1 that the entire rear edge of the'attached piece 7 ex tends between the lower extremity of the gusset and the rear extremity of'the vamp 6. As observed from Figure 1 the desired correspondence in shape is secured between the last named end of the vamp and the piece 7 by shaping the latter as shown in Figure 2. The stitching is passed through the gusset, rear end portion of the vamp and the intervening especially shaped rear end of the attached piece 7 No connection whatever is made between the central portion of the attached piece and the underlying portion of the vamp. In this way the presence of the attachment does not 'interefer with the stretching and conforming of the vamp to the foot of the wearer.

It is contended that by providinga double; ply toe and vamp upon a plain toed blucher tire life of the shoe.

I the reconstruction of the toe 01' upper.

a greater degree than'has heretofore been obtained in shoes of this class. It is to be noted that the attachment is entirely upon the exterior of the vamp and therefore does not present any obstruction upon the inner surface, thus producing a perfectly smooth inside, assuring utmost comfort. H The invention is an improvement over other vamp designs and 'reinforcements in that it cannot rip through "wear and'will retain its useful features, and advantagesthroughout the en,- The presence of the device beautifies .the toe, for, particularly in large sizes the plain toe is rather unsightly, but the existenceofthe attachment breaks this undesirable expanse and tends to make the toe look smaller and much neater.

The invention is not to be confused with vamp and gusset improvements necessitating It is purely and simply an attachment to beincorporated in a commonly marketed and universally known plain toed blucheri type shoe to add to the practicability and already known advantages of the latter.

The characteristic features and advantages of the simple and inexpensive improve ment shown and described have doubtless been made apparent and for this reason a more lengthy description is deemed unnecessary.

Having thus described the invention, what ing a gusset and a plain toe, a supplemental ply of leather overlying the vamp and rear portion of the tip, the'marginal edges 'of said ply being spaced inwardly iroi'n the side portions of the toe and vamp and'being stitched in place, the rear en'd of said ply being disposed between the corresponding end of the vampand the lower extremity of the gusset and being secured in place be tween the gusset and vamp and providing a waterproof joint.

In testimony whereof afii'x mysignature.

BERNARD A. MASON. 

